iBerkshires wants to send congratulations to two brand-new Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates: Melanie Rancourt and Jonathon DelSordo.

Melanie (the one on the right) is a teacher in the North Adams Public School system and an occasional freelance writer for us. Her favorite subjects to write about: "Twilight," school activities and programs, and Northern Berkshire Relay for Life. We haven't seen much of her in the past year because she's been hard at work earning her master's degree in education. Congratulations, Melanie from everyone at iBerkshires.

Jonathan was our intern in 2009, though it seems just last year. The Richmond resident trucked his way up to North Adams in between summer break and summer work at The Scoop in Lenox and wrote some great articles on baseball, restaurants and roads. On Saturday, Jonathan received his bachelor of arts degree in English.

He wrote for the MCLA Beacon, and Class President Keifer Gammell in his address to the graduates used a quote from him. Jonathan, he said, had summed up MCLA experience: "All of us are different, unique and in no way are we the same as any one other person. That's what makes it so special: Being ourselves in a crowd of others who are different."

He said some very nice things about us when I spoke to him afterward. He's not sure exactly what he's going to do after this summer other than to travel, but I know he'll go far (and I'm happy to provide a reference if he needs one). Congratulations Jonathan from everyone at iBerkshires. Keep in touch.

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.